Internet in Indonesia & Bali 2026: Complete Guide for Travelers & Digital Nomads

Indonesia is a country of 17,000+ islands spread across 5,000 kilometers of ocean — and its internet infrastructure reflects that geographic reality. In Jakarta and Bali’s popular nomad hubs, you’ll find speeds that rival mid-tier European cities. Venture to a smaller island or a rural Javanese village, and you might be struggling to load a web page. The key takeaway: Indonesia’s internet is excellent where digital nomads actually go, but wildly inconsistent everywhere else. Bali, specifically Canggu and parts of Ubud, has built some of the best remote work infrastructure in Southeast Asia. With the right setup — an eSIM or local SIM, a reliable coworking space, and a VPN for the censorship issue — you can work as productively from a rice paddy-view cafe as you would from a WeWork back home.

This guide covers everything you need to know about getting and staying connected in Indonesia, with an especially deep focus on Bali since that’s where most travelers and remote workers are heading.

Indonesia Internet at a Glance

Detail	Info
Average Download Speed	25-80 Mbps (varies wildly by location)
Average Upload Speed	8-25 Mbps
Primary Carrier	Telkomsel (widest coverage)
4G/LTE Coverage	85%+ of populated areas
5G Status	Rolling out in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali (limited)
eSIM Support	Yes — all major eSIM providers cover Indonesia
Local SIM Cost	50,000-100,000 IDR ($3-6) with data
WiFi in Coworking	30-100 Mbps typical
VPN Needed?	Yes — Reddit, some sites blocked
Internet Censorship	Moderate — government blocks adult content, gambling, Reddit, and some LGBTQ+ content
Best Area for Nomads	Canggu, Bali
Digital Nomad Score	8/10

Best eSIM Options for Indonesia

If you want to land in Bali with data already working on your phone, an eSIM is the fastest way to get online. No airport SIM card lines, no passport registration hassles — just activate before you board your flight and connect the moment you touch down at Ngurah Rai Airport.

Here’s how the top eSIM providers compare for Indonesia specifically.

Airalo — Best Overall for Indonesia

Airalo is our top recommendation for most travelers heading to Indonesia. Their Indonesia plans start at $4.50 for 1GB/7 days and scale up to $38 for 20GB/30 days. In our testing, Airalo connected through Telkomsel’s network in Bali, delivering average download speeds of 38 Mbps — which is more than enough for video calls, streaming, and general remote work.

The real advantage is flexibility. If you burn through your data faster than expected (easy to do with video calls in a villa without reliable WiFi), you can top up directly in the Airalo app without installing a new eSIM profile. For a 1-2 week trip, the 5GB/$14 plan hits the sweet spot between price and data capacity.

Get Airalo Indonesia eSIM -- From $4.50

Holafly — Best for Unlimited Data

If you don’t want to think about data limits at all, Holafly offers unlimited data plans for Indonesia starting at around $19 for 5 days. That’s a premium over capped plans, but for heavy data users — remote workers who live on Zoom, content creators uploading footage daily, or anyone tethering their laptop — the peace of mind is worth it.

One catch: Holafly’s “unlimited” plans may throttle speeds after heavy usage (typically beyond 500MB-1GB per day on some plans). In our experience in Bali, we saw consistent speeds throughout the day, but your mileage may vary during peak times.

Get Holafly Indonesia -- Unlimited Data

Saily — Best Budget Option

Saily, backed by the team behind NordVPN, consistently undercuts Airalo’s pricing by 10-15% across most destinations. Their Indonesia plans start at just $3.99 for 1GB/7 days. Coverage and speeds were comparable to Airalo in our testing (both route through Telkomsel), so if price is your primary concern, Saily is hard to beat.

Get Saily Indonesia eSIM -- From $3.99

Which eSIM Should You Choose?

• Short trip (1-2 weeks), moderate data use: Airalo 5GB plan at $14
• Need unlimited data or heavy video calls: Holafly unlimited plan
• Budget-conscious: Saily for 10-15% savings
• Staying 30+ days: Consider a local SIM card instead (see below)

For a full breakdown of all providers, check our Best eSIM Providers 2026 comparison.

Local SIM Cards in Indonesia

For stays longer than 2-3 weeks, a local Indonesian SIM card is still the most cost-effective option. Data is absurdly cheap here — we’re talking $6 for 35GB.

Top Carriers

Telkomsel is the undisputed champion with the widest 4G coverage across Indonesia, including remote islands. It’s the most reliable option in rural areas and has the strongest signal in Bali. The downside is that it’s slightly more expensive than competitors — but “expensive” in Indonesia means paying $8 instead of $5 for a monthly data package.

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) is the second-largest carrier and offers aggressive data pricing. Coverage in major cities and tourist areas is solid, but it falls off more quickly outside urban centers compared to Telkomsel. Good for Bali and Java; less reliable in eastern Indonesia.

XL Axiata is the third option, with competitive pricing and decent urban coverage. XL has invested heavily in its 4G network and is a reasonable choice in Bali, Jakarta, and other major cities. Signal can be weaker in Canggu compared to Telkomsel in our experience.

Pricing

Carrier	Starter SIM	15GB / 30 days	35GB / 30 days	75GB / 30 days
Telkomsel	25,000 IDR ($1.50)	65,000 IDR ($4)	100,000 IDR ($6)	150,000 IDR ($9)
Indosat	20,000 IDR ($1.25)	50,000 IDR ($3)	85,000 IDR ($5)	130,000 IDR ($8)
XL Axiata	20,000 IDR ($1.25)	55,000 IDR ($3.50)	90,000 IDR ($5.50)	135,000 IDR ($8.50)

Prices are approximate and fluctuate. 1 USD ~ 16,000 IDR as of February 2026.

Where to Buy

• Airport: Telkomsel and other carriers have counters at Ngurah Rai Airport (Bali) and Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta). Expect to pay a small markup (10-20%) over street pricing. The convenience is worth it if you need immediate connectivity.
• Convenience stores: Indomaret and Alfamart (Indonesia’s ubiquitous convenience stores) sell starter packs for all three carriers. Staff can usually help with activation.
• Phone shops: Look for stores displaying carrier logos along Jalan Raya in Canggu, Monkey Forest Road in Ubud, or any shopping area. They’ll handle registration and setup for you.
• Official carrier stores: GraPARI (Telkomsel), Gerai Indosat, and XL Centers are scattered across major towns. Best option for complex issues or plan changes.

Registration Requirements

Indonesia requires passport-based registration for all SIM cards. Here’s what you need:

1. Your passport (physical or clear photo on your phone usually works)
2. A local Indonesian phone number for verification — this creates a chicken-and-egg problem if it’s your first SIM. Most shops will use their own number or a workaround for initial activation.
3. Biometric selfie — some carriers now require a photo of you holding your passport

The registration process takes 5-15 minutes depending on the shop and how busy they are. If the shop staff handle it (which they will at any tourist-facing store), you just hand over your passport and wait.

Pro tip: Buy your SIM at the airport or a proper carrier store on your first day. Avoid buying from random hawkers on the street — unregistered SIMs can be deactivated without warning, and some sellers load subpar data packages.

Bali Internet Deep Dive

This is the section most readers are here for. Bali’s internet infrastructure has improved dramatically over the past few years, driven by the massive influx of digital nomads and remote workers. But quality varies enormously by area. Here’s what to actually expect.

Canggu — The Nomad Capital

Typical speeds: 30-100 Mbps down / 10-30 Mbps up in coworking spaces and modern villas.

Canggu is where Indonesia’s internet is at its best. The sheer concentration of remote workers has created a competitive market for both coworking spaces and villa WiFi. Fiber connections from IndiHome (Telkomsel’s broadband arm) and Biznet are widely available in the Echo Beach, Batu Bolong, and Berawa areas.

What to expect: Most dedicated coworking spaces offer 50-100 Mbps with backup connections. Modern villas and apartments in the main Canggu corridor typically have 20-50 Mbps fiber. Older guesthouses and budget accommodation might still be on slower DSL connections (5-15 Mbps). Cafes vary wildly — some have excellent WiFi, others are barely usable.

The caveat: Even in Canggu, power outages happen. PLN (Indonesia’s state electricity company) occasionally cuts power for maintenance, and heavy rainstorms can knock out electricity for 30 minutes to a few hours. Serious nomads keep their phones on a mobile hotspot as a backup, and coworking spaces have generators or UPS systems.

Ubud — The Cultural Alternative

Typical speeds: 20-60 Mbps down / 8-20 Mbps up in coworking spaces; 10-30 Mbps in villas.

Ubud offers a quieter, more introspective work environment surrounded by rice terraces and temples. Internet infrastructure is a step behind Canggu — fiber coverage is patchier, especially once you get outside the central Ubud area. Coworking spaces in central Ubud have solid connectivity, but villa WiFi outside the main drag can be unreliable.

What to expect: Central Ubud (Monkey Forest Road, Jalan Raya Ubud) has reasonable fiber availability. North Ubud (Tegallalang, Kedewatan) and the surrounding villages often rely on slower connections. If you’re renting a villa in the rice paddies for the aesthetic, make sure you confirm actual internet speeds before booking — “WiFi included” means very different things depending on the property.

Seminyak & Kuta

Typical speeds: 30-80 Mbps down / 10-25 Mbps up.

Seminyak and Kuta have solid infrastructure thanks to being Bali’s original tourist zones. You’ll find reliable fiber connections in most modern accommodations and restaurants. However, these areas are oriented more toward tourists than remote workers — fewer coworking spaces, more pool bars. If you’re working from a hotel or villa in Seminyak, internet quality is generally dependable.

Sanur

Typical speeds: 20-50 Mbps down / 8-15 Mbps up.

Sanur is quieter and attracts longer-term expats. Internet infrastructure is adequate but not as robust as Canggu or Seminyak. Fewer coworking options, but the relaxed pace suits people who prefer working from home/villa. The beachfront promenade is lovely for walking breaks between Zoom calls.

Uluwatu & Bukit Peninsula

Typical speeds: 15-40 Mbps down / 5-15 Mbps up.

Uluwatu is Bali’s emerging surf and nomad area, but infrastructure lags significantly behind Canggu. Fiber availability is spotty, many properties still rely on wireless broadband, and the clifftop geography can create dead zones for mobile data. It’s stunning, but don’t move here expecting Canggu-level connectivity. A few coworking spaces have opened, and they’ve invested in proper fiber, but outside those spaces, expect inconsistency.

Nusa Islands (Lembongan, Ceningan, Penida)

Typical speeds: 5-20 Mbps down / 2-8 Mbps up.

The Nusa islands are beautiful for a holiday but challenging for remote work. Internet comes via undersea cables or wireless links from the mainland, and speeds reflect that. Nusa Lembongan has the best connectivity of the three. Nusa Penida is the worst — during our testing, we experienced multiple dropped video calls. Great for a weekend trip, not great for a work week.

Best Coworking Spaces in Bali

Bali’s coworking scene is one of the best in the world. Here are the spaces we’ve tested and recommend.

Canggu

Dojo Bali — The original Canggu coworking space and still one of the best. Located right on the rice paddies with an open-air top floor that’s become iconic on Instagram. Speeds consistently hit 50-80 Mbps, backup internet is in place, and the community events are excellent. Day pass: 200,000 IDR ($12.50). Monthly: 2,500,000 IDR ($156).

Outpost Canggu — More polished and “corporate” than Dojo, with air-conditioned private offices, phone booths, and a pool. Speeds reach 80-100 Mbps on their fiber connection. Great for video calls thanks to quiet, enclosed spaces. Day pass: 250,000 IDR ($15.50). Monthly: 3,200,000 IDR ($200).

BWork Bali — A newer space with modern facilities, fast WiFi (60-90 Mbps), and a friendly atmosphere. Slightly further from the beach but makes up for it with competitive pricing. Day pass: 150,000 IDR ($9.50). Monthly: 2,000,000 IDR ($125).

Tribal Bali — A co-living and coworking hostel combo that’s popular with younger nomads. The coworking area has reliable internet (40-70 Mbps) and the social scene is unmatched. Coworking-only day pass: 150,000 IDR ($9.50). Stay + cowork packages available.

Ubud

Outpost Ubud — Sister location of Outpost Canggu, set in a beautiful tropical garden. Speeds of 50-70 Mbps, air-conditioned rooms, and a calmer vibe than the Canggu location. Day pass: 200,000 IDR ($12.50). Monthly: 2,800,000 IDR ($175).

Hubud (historically significant) — The legendary Hubud coworking space closed in 2020, but several successor spaces have filled the gap. Look for Livit Hub and Outpost Ubud as the current top options in the Ubud area.

Seminyak

Kumpul Coworking — One of the only dedicated coworking spaces in Seminyak, with multiple locations across Bali. Reliable internet (40-60 Mbps), professional environment, and air-conditioned throughout. Day pass: 180,000 IDR ($11). Monthly: 2,400,000 IDR ($150).

Quick Tips for Coworking in Bali

• Always test the WiFi before committing to a monthly plan. Ask for a day pass first.
• Bring headphones. Open-air spaces are beautiful but noisy. Noise-canceling headphones are non-negotiable for video calls.
• Have a mobile data backup. Even the best coworking space can have a router hiccup during your important presentation.
• Book meeting rooms in advance if you have scheduled calls. The shared areas get loud during peak hours (10 AM — 4 PM).

VPN Recommendations — Essential in Indonesia

This is not optional. Indonesia actively censors the internet. The government blocks access to:

• Reddit — Completely blocked
• Certain streaming content — Some shows and movies are restricted
• LGBTQ+ content — Numerous websites and resources blocked
• Gambling sites — Entirely blocked
• Adult content — Broadly blocked
• Various political and religious content — Selectively blocked

If you use Reddit, want unrestricted streaming, or simply believe in open internet access, you need a VPN. The good news: VPNs are not illegal in Indonesia, and both of our top recommendations work reliably there.

NordVPN — Our Top Pick for Indonesia

NordVPN has servers in nearby Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia that deliver fast connections from Indonesia. In our Bali testing, connecting to NordVPN’s Singapore servers added only 8-15ms of latency and reduced download speeds by roughly 10-15% — a negligible hit for the benefit of unrestricted internet.

NordVPN’s obfuscated servers are particularly useful in Indonesia. While Indonesia doesn’t actively hunt VPN users the way China does, some networks (particularly hotel WiFi and certain ISPs) use basic VPN detection. NordVPN’s obfuscation bypasses these blocks without you needing to configure anything manually.

Price: From $3.39/month on the 2-year plan.

Get NordVPN -- Essential for Indonesia

Surfshark — Best Budget VPN for Indonesia

Surfshark is our budget pick. It costs less than NordVPN, allows unlimited simultaneous device connections (great for families or connecting your phone, laptop, and tablet), and works reliably in Indonesia. Speeds were slightly slower than NordVPN in our testing — about 15-20% reduction versus NordVPN’s 10-15% — but still perfectly adequate for streaming and video calls.

Price: From $2.19/month on the 2-year plan.

Get Surfshark -- Unlimited Devices

VPN Quick Tips for Indonesia

• Install and configure your VPN before arriving. Some VPN websites can be slow to access from within Indonesia.
• Use the Singapore server for the lowest latency from Bali or Java.
• Enable auto-connect so your VPN activates whenever you join any WiFi network. Public WiFi security in Indonesia is poor.
• Try the WireGuard protocol (available in both NordVPN and Surfshark) for the fastest speeds with strong encryption.

For a deeper comparison, read our full Best VPN for Travel 2026 guide.

Beyond Bali: Other Indonesian Cities

Indonesia has 280 million people across thousands of islands. If your travels take you beyond Bali, here’s what to expect.

Jakarta

Speeds: 40-150 Mbps in central areas. Jakarta has Indonesia’s best internet infrastructure overall, with widespread fiber from IndiHome, Biznet, and MyRepublic. 5G is rolling out in select areas of South and Central Jakarta. The problem isn’t internet speed — it’s the traffic. Getting anywhere in Jakarta can take hours, which makes the excellent coworking scene (GoWork, WeWork, Kolega) less practical if you’re moving around frequently.

Yogyakarta

Speeds: 20-60 Mbps. Yogyakarta is emerging as a quieter, cheaper alternative to Bali for nomads who want Javanese culture without Canggu prices. Infrastructure is solid in the city center, with several coworking spaces opening in recent years. Cost of living is roughly 40-50% less than Bali.

Lombok

Speeds: 15-40 Mbps in Mataram and Senggigi; 5-20 Mbps elsewhere. Lombok is Bali’s less-developed neighbor, and internet infrastructure reflects that gap. The main town of Mataram has reasonable connectivity, but beach areas like Kuta Lombok (the surfer’s version) are patchy. A growing nomad scene in Senggigi is slowly driving infrastructure investment.

Flores, Komodo, and Eastern Indonesia

Speeds: 5-15 Mbps where available. Once you head east of Lombok, internet becomes genuinely challenging. Telkomsel has the best coverage, but even their 4G signal is inconsistent on smaller islands. Download everything you need offline before heading to Flores, Komodo, or Raja Ampat. These are incredible travel destinations but terrible remote work locations.

Sumatra

Speeds: 15-50 Mbps in major cities (Medan, Padang, Palembang); 5-20 Mbps elsewhere. Sumatra is huge and underdeveloped compared to Java and Bali. Lake Toba has a small but growing nomad scene, though connectivity is basic. Bukittinggi and Padang offer better infrastructure but fewer coworking options.

Digital Nomad Tips for Indonesia

Visa Situation

Tourist Visa on Arrival (VoA): 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days. Costs 500,000 IDR ($31) on arrival. Technically, you should not be working on a tourist visa — but enforcement is essentially nonexistent for remote workers not employed by Indonesian companies.

B211A Business Visa: 60 days, extendable up to 180 days total. This is the preferred option for digital nomads staying longer than 60 days. Requires a sponsor (many visa agencies in Bali handle this for $200-350). Gives you more legal cover for remote work.

Second Home Visa: 5-year visa for those who can show savings of approximately $130,000 in a bank account. Becoming popular with wealthier nomads and retirees.

Digital Nomad Visa (in development): Indonesia has been discussing a dedicated digital nomad visa since 2022. As of February 2026, it remains in regulatory limbo. Monitor official immigration announcements for updates.

Cost of Living

Indonesia, particularly Bali, offers extraordinary value for remote workers:

• Villa rental (Canggu, 1-bedroom): 5,000,000-15,000,000 IDR ($310-940) per month
• Coworking membership: 2,000,000-3,200,000 IDR ($125-200) per month
• Local meal (warung): 25,000-40,000 IDR ($1.50-2.50)
• Western restaurant meal: 80,000-150,000 IDR ($5-9.50)
• Scooter rental: 800,000-1,200,000 IDR ($50-75) per month
• Mobile data (local SIM, 35GB): 100,000 IDR ($6) per month
• Health insurance: From $42/month with SafetyWing

Total realistic monthly budget: $800-1,500 for a comfortable digital nomad lifestyle in Bali, or $500-900 in less expensive areas like Yogyakarta.

Best Time to Visit for Reliable Internet

Dry season (April — October) is the best time for consistent internet. Rain rarely disrupts fiber connections at coworking spaces, but it can knock out power to villas and affect mobile data signals. The rainy season (November — March) brings daily afternoon storms that occasionally cause power outages lasting 15 minutes to a few hours. If you’re in Bali during rainy season, having a charged power bank and mobile data hotspot as backup becomes more important.

Health Insurance

Working remotely abroad without travel health insurance is a gamble you don’t want to take. Bali has decent private hospitals (BIMC and Siloam are the most expat-friendly), but a serious medical emergency can easily cost $10,000-50,000+ without coverage.

SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance starts at $42/month and covers you in Indonesia and 180+ other countries. It’s subscription-based (no fixed end date), which is perfect for nomads without a set return date. Coverage includes hospital stays, emergency medical evacuation, and COVID-19 treatment.

Get SafetyWing Nomad Insurance -- From $42/mo

Cultural Tips for Remote Workers

• Respect Balinese ceremonies. You’ll encounter road processions, temple ceremonies, and Nyepi (Day of Silence, when the entire island shuts down for 24 hours — including internet at some accommodations). Plan around these.
• Dress appropriately when visiting temples, even if you’re just popping in between calls. Sarongs are required.
• Negotiate scooter rental if staying more than a month. Long-term rates are significantly cheaper.
• Learn basic Bahasa Indonesia. Even “terima kasih” (thank you) and “berapa?” (how much?) go a long way.
• Use Grab and Gojek for transportation and food delivery. Both apps work excellently across Bali and major Indonesian cities.

Our Testing Methodology

The data in this guide comes from 3 weeks of on-the-ground testing across Bali and Java in January 2026, combined with insights from our broader Indonesia testing during the Airalo review process. We conducted:

• 78 speed tests across Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, Sanur, Uluwatu, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta using Speedtest by Ookla and Fast.com
• Tested 3 eSIM providers (Airalo, Holafly, Saily) and 2 local SIM cards (Telkomsel, Indosat) side by side
• Visited 8 coworking spaces and tested WiFi speeds, reliability over multi-hour sessions, and video call quality
• Used NordVPN and Surfshark daily throughout the trip to assess VPN performance and censorship bypass reliability
• Measured speeds at different times of day (morning, afternoon, evening, late night) to capture peak vs. off-peak variance

All pricing was verified directly through provider apps and carrier stores as of February 2026. Prices in IDR are based on a conversion rate of approximately 16,000 IDR to 1 USD.

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Need the right eSIM before your Indonesia trip? Check our Best eSIM Providers 2026 ranking, or go straight to our top picks:

Airalo -- Indonesia eSIM from $4.50 Holafly -- Unlimited Indonesia Data NordVPN -- Essential for Indonesia